Feb 2 2015
Esterline Corporation, a leading specialty manufacturer serving aerospace and defense markets, today announced it has completed its acquisition of the aerospace and defense display businesses of Belgium-based Barco N.V. for EUR 150 million, or approximately $175 million, in cash. The company financed the acquisition primarily using international cash reserves, with the balance funded by borrowings under its existing credit facility.
Barco's visualization solutions feature world-class display technologies for a variety of demanding defense and commercial aerospace applications. The acquired business employs roughly 600 people in Belgium, France, Israel, Singapore and the U.S.
Esterline Chief Executive Officer, Curtis Reusser, said the acquisition of strategic Barco product lines adds "...improved market strength and global coverage as well as key capabilities in an important complementary product category. We are pleased to welcome the highly capable Barco team, which has an excellent reputation and fits very well within the culture and technology skillset of Esterline. We believe this transaction will create value for our shareholders and help grow and strengthen our overall business."
In order to maximize efficiency and to best position the business for ongoing growth, the acquired operations will report through Esterline's Montreal-based Avionics Systems group of businesses and the company's Everett, Wash.-based Control & Communication Systems group. Avionics products will be marketed under the CMC Electronics brand. Training and simulation, defense, and air traffic control products will be marketed under new brands for Esterline -- to be announced in the coming months -- and use of the Barco brand name for all of these products will be phased out.
More information regarding the expected contribution of the acquisition to Esterline's fiscal 2015 operating results will be shared on the company's first quarter earnings conference call in March.
Esterline was advised in this transaction by Rothschild and Renaissance Strategic Advisors; Barco was advised by Morgan Stanley.
About Esterline
Esterline Corporation is a leading worldwide supplier to the aerospace and defense industry specializing in three core areas: Avionics & Controls, Sensors & Systems, and Advanced Materials. Operations within the Avionics & Controls segment focus on high-technology electronics products for military and commercial aircraft and land- and sea-based military vehicles, secure communications equipment, systems and components, specialized medical equipment, and other industrial applications. The Sensors & Systems segment includes operations that produce high-precision temperature and pressure sensors, electrical power distribution equipment, harsh-environment connectors and other related systems principally for aerospace and defense customers. Operations within the Advanced Materials segment focus on technologies including high-temperature resistant materials and components used for a wide range of military and commercial aerospace purposes and combustible ordnance and electronic warfare countermeasure products.
About Barco
Barco, a global technology company, designs and develops visualization products for a variety of selected professional markets. Barco has its own facilities for Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, R&D and Manufacturing in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. Barco (NYSE: BAR) is active in more than 90 countries with about 4,000 employees worldwide. Barco posted sales of EUR 1.158 billion in 2013.